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A lone ysoki, a bit small even for his diminutive kind, strides confidently into the Complex. He is dressed in loose-fitting yet professional garb, also wearing a comm in his ear and a pistol at his hip. "Hi there!" he calls to Chetna, hoping she is a fellow agent. "What's your name? Most call me Alimony. Don't ask why, it's a long, embarrassing, and potentially incriminating story."
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Kentalch is still wandering around the stores around the Eye, far more clean and organized than the stalls he used to visit in the Veskarium, but not as efficient nonetheless.
With this shopping spree nearly done, I wonder what this new summons is all about, I really don't want to spend another month going back, forth and through the Vast chasing cryptic clues.
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A rather extraordinarily tall human with a dark tan sprints into the Complex, wearing a brown synthleather jacket over a simple black tee. A garishly pink longsword is strapped to their back, and their blue jeans are frayed and faded. Voluminous black hair cascades a bit past their waist. Panting, they apologize, "Sorry for being late! Today's sub train ran a little long and the shuttle back to the station got attacked by shobhad bandits on the way to my stop. Vahni Dahawan, reporting in!"
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The woman smiles at a distraction from the music in her head. "Chetna's the name, Alimony." She's wearing a rather simple, but close-fitting blue jumpsuit. Very non-descript. Just a single, thin, red stripe running along the outside of her pant legs to make them stand out.
Chetna looks over at Vahni, "Oh, reporting in for what exactly?" She holds up her communicator and continues, "They weren't exactly forthcoming with details."
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Vahni shrugs. "It's supposed to be some kind of induction deal. Y'know, run around doing the errands for some of the higher-ups before we get officially certified. I got pulled in to help out on a mission to Akiton before I could do mine because of, um, staffing issues, but I get to do it now at least."
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A synthetic unit nimbly pokes his head in from behind Vahni.
"Hello fellow starfinders...I'm looking for a girlfriend to share my adventures with any takers???"
TRS-80 examines the back sides of each lady present....and nods approvingly.
I'm well versed in all phases of relationships with biological units.
TRS-80 smiles broadly, when suddenly....the screwdriver wedged between his synthetic ear and his head falls down and clunks against VIC-20's Chassis.
VIC!...go and await my orders outside..Im trying to mingle right now, and you are in the way!..Now go!
VIC-20 says nothing recognizable, and begins his retreat away from here. VIC accidently bumps into Alimony with a thud!
He then beeps defiantly at him...
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Trash-80 replies with a wink and a smile:
Only if the situation demands it!
Now that we have the usual formality of comic relief and introductions out of the way as is the custom of biological units, I wish to share that I'm a budding computer user, and was a successful professor of computer science engineering. What skills do the rest of you bring to this endeavour?
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Vahni sighs, mentally preparing themself for having to work with an android who apparently thought that modeling himself after a stock sitcom character was a good idea. "I'm a solarian. This," Vahni summons a shimmering gold shield into existence on their arm, glowing lines spiraling out from a star emblem in the center. It vanishes as quickly as it came. "is my shield. I'm capable of holding my own in a fight, but I'd like it to not come to that. I'm generally good enough at blundering my way through conversations to prevent violence, though, as long as I'm given a chance to talk. I'm a halfway-decent pilot, but I don't think we're leaving the Station today."
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Chetna smiles at TRS-80 and says, "Looking for a girlfriend, huh?" She walks closer and gets right up to the android and says, "Me too. But I know better than to try that at work. Best of luck," and walks over to stand in solidarity alongside Vahni.
"I'm okay in a fight. However, I do have a bit of a flair for the dramatic." She leans against the doorway. "I could convince a stranger that I'm a princess and rightful heir in exile and must, sadly, move my father's credits off planet with their help. This must happen before my dreaded, usurping uncle finds the accounts." Chetna lays the back of her hand against her forehead, leans her head back slightly, and pretends to be a bit weak in the knees. She has a distraught look on her face.
"I just need their bank account and personal identity number." She straightens up and laughs. "It's a classic. But, I mainly employ those talents blockade running supplies into unfriendly places. Food, meds, and some basic supplies. Doesn't pay as much as running for the other side, but it's consistent and significantly easier on the conscience."
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Alimony staggers exaggeratedly as VIC-20 bumps him, then retreats as if in surrender. "You win, Shiny," he chuckles at the drone. He quickly becomes...well, not serious, it is difficult to say whether he is capable of such a feat. But something akin to it, because it looks as if the ysoki is about to rattle off a list.
"What can I do? What can't I do? Well, aside from lift, obviously," he smiles as he starts juggling his gun. "I'm an expert hacker, acrobat, mechanic, and medic, I'm street-savvy, and not a bad shot at that. In all modesty, of course. I had a brief stint as a hired gun, but in an even more fleeting moment of common sense I bailed. Now I'm in the...hopefully safer field of motivational speaking. You might've seen one of my lectures, they've been slowly making their way around the 'net." Alimony grins at this silliness, but is also being entirely truthful. "That, and perhaps Society work. Hopefully, this is the start of said career."
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A rare sight in the Complex after the Scoured Stars Incident, you can see a half-orc turn around a corner and walk towards you, "The name's Kentalch , I've got a good pair of eyes and ears, by the way, you can be heard down the hall. I can also take a few punches and can get you patched up after a scuffle.
"If you want to survive in the wilderness, or get something from point A to point B undetected I'm your orc."
The green man extends a hand towards Alimoney -
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As the doors to the Lorespire Complex slide open, a green holographic image of a middle-aged human woman shimmers into view at the center of the room. “Greetings,” it says. “I am Guidance. Please use the cheek swabs in the open receptacle to provide a genetic sample for Starfinder Society identification purposes. If desired, you may place your hand on the glowing panel to receive a subdermal implant further marking you as a member of the Society.”
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Altharikon looks up distractedly as the hologram begins speaking. Once instructions begin, he stows his comm device, and stands. Moving across the room, he grabs a cheek swab, sticks it in his mouth, and swirls it along his left cheek, then deposits it in the proffered container.
Next he pauses them shrugs and places his hand on panel to receive his subdermal implant.
Turning to the gathered members he gives a short bow. "I am Altharikon. It will be my pleasure to work wiith you all."
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TRS-80 watches Vahni as she completes the tasks, and imagines that she is wearing no clothes....He smiles broadly, lets out a private giggle, and blows her a kiss behind her back...
A pleasure to meet all of the biological units this day...I wonder what this glorious day may bring? I'm excited to learn more about each of you so I can update my internal database of starfinder members for future reference.
After completing both required tasks, TRS-80 activates his custom rig and orders VIC-20 to fetch him a Solarian Sunrise, hold the fruit...
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Alimony gratefully submits to the sampling and implantation, hoping it will help his reputation or help in a tight spot.
He does wince slightly at both, but looks all the happier with the insignia. "Thank you, Guidance! So, what're we doing here?"
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Those who received the implant notices it resting undderneath the skin of the palm of their hand, or appendage. It can be activated as a swift action causing a rendition of the Starfinder symbol to glow underneath the skin.
As each has provided a sample Guidance continues. “It is our pleasure to officially welcome you into the Starfinder Society. Today is the commencement of your new role as a Starfinder field agent. It is our tradition, at the end of the graduation ceremony, for new graduates to present themselves to the heads of our most prominent factions and complete a task at those leaders’ behest. This allows the leaders of these groups to become familiar with all new Starfinder agents, and it provides a constant supply of agents for handling situations in our holdings on Absalom Station. While these tasks were formerly symbolic, the heavy loss of Starfinder agents in the Scoured Stars necessitates that these missions become something more. Please treat any tasks given with the gravity you would grant any other Starfinder assignment.”
You comm devices beep as a new message comes in. "This message contains the basic information you will require to know each of the Starfinder Factions."
THE ACQUISITIVES
Leader Radaszam “The Dealmaker”; Location Nyori Palisades
The Acquisitives represent the result of Luwazi Elsebo’s efforts to hold the Society together by hiring mercenaries to fill the role
of missing Starfinders. Many mercenaries realized that the Society was a far more lucrative venture—both monetarily and in terms
of popularity—than their old line of work. The faction’s current leader, Radaszam, is concerned with maintaining the organization’s
public-facing reputation, as well as the reputation and fame of those Starfinders directly serving the Acquisitives’ interests.
THE DATAPHILES
Leader Historia-7; Location Lorespire Complex
The Dataphiles cherish information above all else, seeing themselves as the guardians of any knowledge obtained by the Starfinder
Society. Their leader, Historia-7, promotes a belief in superiority through the acquisition and controlled dispersal of information.
While cataloguing and data searching are necessities in this faction, the Dataphiles are known to employ less technologically savvy
combat experts to procure information.
THE EXO-GUARDIANS
Leader Zigvigix; Location None (Downlow)
The Exo-Guardians are made up of Pact Worlds citizens who are concerned for the safety of their home, and who act to ensure that
safety. They believe that the best defense is a strong offense, and they work to build up a stockpile of magic and technology to deter
external threats. Most of the faction’s operatives were lost in the Scoured Stars. The Exo-Guardians utilize lower-grade installations
within the Pact Worlds, having lost their headquarters and many of their operations in the aftermath of the disaster.
THE WAYFINDERS
Leader Fitch; Location The Armada (Master of Stars)
The Wayfinders are Starfinders who adhere to the Society’s primary mission of exploration. The most transitory of the Society’s
membership, the Wayfinders are dedicated to exploring the Vast and maintain few direct ties to the Pact Worlds. Wayfinders
specialize in both exploration and first-contact scenarios, thriving on the thrill of the unknown and the monumental task of meeting
new species.
The program speaks one last time, "Once you complete the faction leader’s desired mission, that leader will signal me to indicate the mission is finished. Once all missions are complete, return to the Lorespire Complex to finish their commencement and prepare for future missions."
Where to Starfinders?
- The Acquisitives to meet with Radaszam “The Dealmaker” in the Nyori Palisades
- The Dataphiles to meet with Historia-7 in the Lorespire Complex (your current location)
- The Exo-Guardians to meet Zigvigix in the Downlow
- The Wayfinders to meet with Fitch in the Armada
***
***
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Alimony wracks his memory for pertinent information. "Good thing most people like the Society. Another good reason to get the implant. Flash that bad boy and you're bound to get results." The ysoki then projects a rudimentary image of the Armada on his datapad. "And these ships tend to bring back all sorts of crazy aliens, given how much they use the Starstone core. Could be fun, or deadly. We won't know until we meet one."
"I'm no worse than the average Joe at talking to people, but I bet someone else here is better. Some seem unnerved by my nigh-psychopathic turns of tone and personality." Nonchalantly, he takes his first look at their options. "I'm thinking we talk to this Historia-7 first, at least after asking around. She is closest."
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Culture Check:
Ive noticed that the Starfinders bring reassurance and hope to the residents of Abasalom station. I've also found that identifying yourself in that way to the locals can be useful...so use this approach as you may.
If Alimony wishes to meet with the Dataphiles first, then by all means let us begin the trek over there.
VIC-20! cancel all of my appointments! The biological units and I have important business, and you are invited my friend.
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First to Alimony, then he addresses the rest of the group. "You seem to know a lot about the Station, you live here or something?
"Got it, let's get to the Dataphiles quarters! I'll try and lead the way, I've been there ONCE before"
___________________________________
After leaving Guidance's office, Kentalch asks to anyone walking the hallways, after shining his brand new insignia, "Hi! I've never really been a tourist in town, are there any exciting news or events for me to know about or visit while I'm here?"
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Vahni frowns. "Yeah. We're supposed to help execute the First Seeker's vision, whatever personal project they're working on. I joined up because..." they pause, sigh, then begin again. "My sibling got caught up in the Incident, and helping out Luwazi Elsebo put the Society together again is pretty much the only way that I can see to finding Smoky."
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Guidance continues on in response to Vahni's question. "The Second Seekers work to further the agenda of the currently elected First Seeker. Therefore the recruitment and test in and of itself is a key to becoming a Second Seeker."
***
The Lorespire Complex, home and heart of the Starfinder Society, is a striking campus dedicated to knowledge. Communal labs and historical departments study the Archives’ massive collection of artifacts and texts, gathered by generations of agents from across the galaxy. A quick search of the directory indicates Historia-7 frequents the Archives’ Cortex, a computerized matrix containing digital records of the Starfinder Society’s most prominent discoveries.
The android reclines on a raised chair and is plugged into the local infosphere when the doors open. The neural cables detach themselves from her neck as she swivels in her seat to address the new arrivals. “Greetings, Starfinders,” she says calmly. “I am Historia-7. If you are seeking a mission from me, please be aware that my request requires both discretion and speed. Do not accept it if you feel incapable of working within these parameters."
“I discovered someone recently hacked into Bluerise Tower’s computer systems and stole a large amount of sensitive data from the resident corporations. I wish to be privy to this information. I managed to trace the hacker’s location through many proxies and erased the trail so that station and corporate security should be delayed in their pursuit. This deception will not fool them for long, so you must move quickly to retrieve the data before they can recover it. I will leave you to decide what to do with the hacker afterward, but should it be feasible, I believe that person would be an asset to the Society.”
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"The Bluerise Tower, a private office structure maintained by multiple corporations and legally protected to the point that even the station’s Stewards have difficulty entering. Why these corporations need such absolute sovereignty over their own affairs is a question of great interest to many people, including myself." The android explains. "I believe the companies know more than they let on, and that the Society needs to stay informed in its vulnerable state."
Historia-7 gives you the address to a flat in Drifter’s End, a district in the station’s Ring known for providing cheap housing to vagabonds of all sorts.
***
The coordinates that Historia-7 gives you point to an apartment that resembles a cement cube, with several tomato plants in plastic barrels sitting on an otherwise barren porch. Boxes of nutrient broth, gardening tools, and various cultural knickknacks clutter the floor of the flat, leaving barely any room for visitors to sit down.
The plants are being hand-pollinated by a young human boy as he uses a small dropper on each plant.
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"Not a lot else, really. Just lights up. I didn't get it too long ago, actually," Alimony winces slightly when he takes his hand back. "Good to meet you, Jubair. Name's Alimony, please don't ask. So, awkward part. The Society kinda traced a hack to this location. Relax, we aren't mad!" The ysoki suddenly looks alarmed as he thinks the youth will at this news. "We just wanted to meet you, maybe offer you a job?"
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Can use Custom Rig to communicate with drone over an encrypted channel to issue commands to its AI or directly control it at a range of 2500 feet.
TRS-80 allows others to handle the conversation, while he directly controls VIC-20 to survey the outside of the cube. He will look for other ways in and out of the apartment such as windows and doors etc. Concealed doors. Ill roll perception for the other three sides of the cube...
Side 1:
Side 2:
Side 3:
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" Are these your tomatoes? They look well tended. Do you live here?"
"Yup. These are my tomatoes!." He seems to beam with pride. "I live here." He points his thumb back at the apartment complex.
The Society kinda traced a hack to this location. Relax, we aren't mad!" The ysoki suddenly looks alarmed as he thinks the youth will at this news. "We just wanted to meet you, maybe offer you a job?"
"A hack?" He looks to the Ysoki confused. "A job?How can I help with a hack or a job?" He laughs nervously.
Kentalch surveys the immediate area and sees nothing out of the ordinary. Certainly no explosives. VIC-20 does it's own reconnaissance. While finding no hidden doors it does find dozens if not over a hundred doors and windows going into the place. As it is an apartment building it is not out of the ordinary.
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Altharikon smiles at the boy's response and draws a few unsubstantiated inferences. "You are a clever fellow, aren't you? Look we don't want to get you in trouble, in fact, there could be a future in the Starfinder Society if you desire. But, first, you need to help us a little. Tell us who hired you? And to what ends? What were they looking for?"
Altharikon holds up his empty hands. "Keep in mind, if we found you, the corporations that were hacked can find you. We can protect you."